SUU Welcomes Jones as New VP for Advancement

July 03, 2007Category: Administration

Southern Utah University is very excited to announce the completion of a search to fill the position of vice president for Advancement that was created by the transition of Mark Barton to a new role. Stuart Jones will become the next vice president of SUU’s Advancement efforts later this summer.

President Benson is very excited about the addition to his staff. Benson said, “Stuart Jones' return to campus is a significant event for SUU and this community. As we launch the most ambitious and aggressive campaign in the University's history, his leadership -- as well as his familiarity with the community and his development experience -- will be absolutely essential in realizing our goal.”

In addition to serving as vice president for advancement, Jones will also assume the role of director of the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service, a non-partisan organization providing students with opportunities in leadership, public service and policy research.

Jones returns to SUU after several years at two institutions in northern California’s Bay area. He first served as vice president for development at Sonoma State University, in Rohnert Park, California. He is now leaving his position as vice president of Institutional Advancement at Dominican University of California in San Rafael to return to Cedar City.

Jones said, “While our family has loved our time in the bay area, we feel fortunate to have this opportunity to return to SUU and to be among our family and friends in Cedar City.” Jones continued, “I look forward to working with President Benson and his administrative team to achieve the ambitious goals of the University.

Jones left SUU as the vice president of Advancement and Regional Services in 2002. He left SUU the first time in 1986 after serving as the student body president his senior year. He returned in 1992 and spent 10 years in leadership roles during his first stint at the University.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from SUU. He went on to gain a Master of Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah. He also holds an MBA degree from Utah State University.
Jones will be coming back to Cedar City with his wife Michelle and their family. He will be starting in his new assignment in mid-August.